Court Slams YouTube, Meta with $3m Damages in Social Media Addiction Case

A Los Angeles jury has ruled that YouTube and Meta are liable for negligence after a young woman said she became addicted to their platforms from an early age.

The jury determined that the design and operation of the platforms contributed to her mental health struggles, awarding $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% of the amount.

Jurors also agreed that both companies could face additional punitive damages, which are yet to be decided.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, accused platforms including Instagram of creating addictive environments harmful to young users. The plaintiff reportedly began using YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine.

A therapist who treated her testified that her social media use contributed to mental health issues, including social phobia and body image concerns.

Both companies have pushed back against the ruling. Meta said teen mental health is complex and cannot be tied to a single app, while YouTube argued its platform is not designed to be addictive. Appeals are expected.